St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-20
THE sAGACIoUs SMITHS.
John Takes Rest, But Nathan
Bobs Up Serenely and Dilates
About the Battle Flags.


About the Battle Flags.
Specia! to the Globe
WASHINGTON, June 19.-"It is some
thing like the position in which Andrew
Johnson was placed" says Nathan
Smith, of Wisconsin, veteran of the
late war, and one of the oldest officials
in the postoffice department. 1.-The re-
turn of the Confederate battle flags
might have been effected by President
Grant, Garfield or Arthur at any time.
and nothing of an offensive nature
would have been said except, possibly,
by few. But because President Cleye-
land does it there is general
protest raised from many quarters.
when Andrew johnson undertook
conciliatory policy towards the South,
after the war, there was such bitterness
OF feeling that he was impeached and
tried, and almost convicted of high
crimes and misdemeanors. 1t has been
generally understood that if Mr.. Lincoln
had lived. ne would have pursued the
policy which johnson undertook. But,
when johnson tried it, he soon found
that it would take Lincoln to do the
work successfully. In other words, An
drew johnson was patriOtically endeav-
orlng to carry out what he believed
would have been LincOln's policy, had
he lived. But the opposition was so
great that he was angered and led to
greater lengths than he would have
otherwise gone"
..Do you think the president has been
led to pursue this course as johnson
was, by splte?''
NO, not exactly that. l believe that
he determined upon this course some
time ago, long before the Grand Army
protest concerning the st. Louis meet
ing: but do not suppose that he will
be any less anxious to carry out his
policy by reason of the abuse which is
being heaped upon him. He is simply
doing what he believes is
THE PROPER THING TO DO.
Buthe is regarded as the wrong man
trying to carry out the right policy. In
other words, there is such general
sentiment of Republicanism in the
army that almost any act of Demo
cratic president would be censured in
relation to the rebellion, the rebels or
their flags. Blaine. being Republican,
could carry out this policy and be APP
plauded for his effort at harmony.
Grant could have done it almost at the
close of the war. 1t isn't the mere re-
turn of the battle-hagS that is causing
the hullabaloo: but it is an opportunity
to howl at Cleveland, that the poll
politicians do not intend to permit to
escape them.''
''What does the postmaster general
say about it?''
He says nothing that know OF. If
the matter was in his department,
though, l apprehend that he would saw
old soldier and warm friend of the vet
Grams of the war and of their widows
and orphans. He attended the cabinet
meeting, | believe, at which it was
unanimously decided to take the course
which the president is now pursuing.
Ii there had been anything objection
able to him, and he had mentioned it, |
have no doubt that the matter would
have dropped. But it is not in his de-
partment, and l do not think that he
will care to say anything upon the sub
ject. If called upon. however, he
would find no difficulty in expressing
his views.'
''What is your individual opinion of
the matter?"
''My opinion is, that the president and
his cabinet are acting in good faith, and
in the interest of harmony between the
sections, as well as for the purpose of
relieving the war department. of the care
of the flags, and the work attendant
upon that charge. l have been informed
that the adiutant generals office has to
do great deal of extra work in the
way of correspondence in refer
ence to the trophies. Different states.
North and South, are constantly writing
to the department, making inquiry con-
cerning the flags and their disposition.
The return of all the flags to their own
ers would do away with all this cOrre-
spondence, and be a graceful act at the
same time"
''What do you think of the PROPOSE
ton to return all the flags to their
original captors?'
''That would be good plan; and then |
let the veterans go to the boys in gray, |
and return the flags. That |
would be good idea, and the admin |
istratiOn would probably move in that
direction if it We're properly suggested"
The Close Relations Gentleman.
Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-It is alleged
by gentleman who bears the closest of
relations to the Sherman family that
John Sherman, senator from Ohio, poll
clan, and aSpirant for the presidency,
has written long and scolding letter to
his big brother, William TecumSeh Sher-
man, general, u. S. A, retired. 1t
seems that John Sherman is exceedingly
indignant with William, because of the
recently written and published letter to